<p>Hello all! I was recently fortunate enough to be selected as a finalist for the McNair Scholarship and really need help understanding how it compares to similar programs at other colleges. I have also been accepted as a finalist for the University Fellows program at the University of Alabama and the Richmond Scholars program at the University of Richmond. Please help me compare and contrast the above.</p>
<p>If you can not figure this out , you sure as hell don’t deserve these " achievements", but I guess being blessed with these achievements , a lack of common sense also goes along with it. This post is a total joke bordering on the lines of an internet ■■■■■ . May I suggest " community college" ?</p>
<p>^Wow. That’s pretty intense.</p>
<p>I know when I was a senior, a lot of things were very confusing to me about the differences between colleges and their programs. So, this could very well be a serious question.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t know any of the differences as I don’t know anything about the two other schools and know very little of the McNair here at USC.</p>
<p>Personally, I think USC is stronger than Alabama. Richmond is a really good school. I think you need to look at what actual costs will be? Do you know your major? If money is pretty equal, then one school may have stronger program in your major. If you’re a McNair finalist then you were on campus this past weekend. Have you spent time on other campuses? Sometimes it comes down to gut feeling. USC honor’s college is strong and as McNair finalist (not sure if scholars named yet) you get all benefits of McNair scholars, just a little less money, but USC is generous with stacking scholarships and if you are a NMF then automatically you get Leiber added to that. Sorry if this isn’t very specific but with such big schools, I think major interest can determine best school. Good luck</p>
<p>My brother goes to Alabama, so I might have some insight. Aside from the amount of the scholarships, which I’m sure you have researched, the main differences will probably be the level of attention you receive from the school and the quality of the honors colleges. The McNair comes with a lot of privileges, including a greater level of personal attention from the Honors College (especially the Fellowship Office), additional study abroad money, communication about great opportunities through the meetings, and most importantly, an incredible peer group. McNairs tend to run a lot of the organizations on campus simply because they have naturally higher expectations leveled upon them and a built-in type A power network.</p>
<p>I toured Alabama with my brother and heard all about the Honors College. Honestly it seems great, albeit much bigger. About 20% of the freshman class are admitted to the Honors College at Bama, whereas the percentage at USC is closer to 8% I believe. You will still be in a small selective group there, but you will probably have to fight harder for opportunities. I am not very familiar with Richmond, but it is considerably smaller than USC or Alabama. It might even be the size of Alabama’s Honors College alone. </p>
<p>What I usually emphasize when it comes to choosing schools is the feeling you get on campus, the academic fit (major, research opportunities, study abroad flexibility), the amount of school spirit, and the location. The last is something most kids do not really consider, but it really determines where you will probably end up living after graduation. USC sends kids to all the major cities, but a higher percentage move to Atlanta, Charlotte, and Washington DC. Alabama sends grads mainly to Birmingham, Nashville, and Atlanta and Richmond grads probably end up in Richmond or Washington DC. </p>
<p>Thankfully you have some great choices. Good luck!</p>